Francois is to classical music what Michael Jordan was to basketball. Nobody else does what he does. And I doubt anyone ever will.

In basketball country, well, we have the pivot so what he does is leaves his thumb back and he pivots instead of having 16 or 17 positions he's broken it down into only six. Consequently he's able to play pieces of a much higher difficulty with great ease.

Francois is one of the best in his field.

I don't have any doubt that we should be in the top two or three. Every year, whether it's basketball or baseball, it seems like we're picked to be one of the two favorites, so it's nothing new. But that has a lot to do with our pitching.

Michigan State is a fine basketball team, no doubt about it. We're proud of what they've done for our state. Our only regret is not playing our style of ball at the start of the game.

There's no doubt in my mind I understand basketball as well as anybody. My assistants and I have a good relationship and we talk every night, but from day one I've had the final say.